Senior Employment Specialist

Waythrough; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Waythrough seeks two Senior Employment Specialists to lead and develop the Connect to Work Tees Valley service in Darlington. You will supervise a team, ensure quality support, and drive employment outcomes across the Tees Valley.

You’ll oversee a small caseload, build employer links, and align practises with SEQF and Connect to Work grant guidance. This role offers progression and impactful community impact.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in employment services.
• Experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
• Experience of staff supervision, management and/or mentoring.
• Knowledge of the principles of supported employment.
• Understanding of disability and special needs in employment.
• Ability to develop relationships with employers and partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance to Employment Specialists.
• Support implementation of Connect to Work Grant Guidance, contractual requirements and fidelity standards.
• Promote and embed the principles of the SEQF.
• Act as subject matter expert and advise colleagues and delivery partners.
• Work with subcontractor managers to support workforce development and performance.
• Facilitate performance, quality and case management reviews.
• Manage a small caseload of approximately 5–10 participants.
• Develop employer relationships and engage external partners.
• Ensure high-quality employer engagement to support employment outcomes.
• Monitor client satisfaction and use feedback to improve the service.
• Identify training needs and support colleagues’ professional development.
• Support co-production and service development with users where possible.
• Create a culture of continuous improvement across the service.

Skills

Leadership

Networking

Communication

Target-driven

Staff supervision

Independent working

Data analysis

MS Office

Education

Degree-level qualification

Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services

Level 3 QCF in Advice & Guidance

SEQF knowledge

Connect to Work programme knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Senior Employment Specialist – Connect to Work Tees Valley (2 positions available)

Salary: £29,430 will be starting salary, with full earning potential up to £37,610

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, with one 30-minute early finish

Location: Morton Park Business Centre, Darlington

Travel: Travel throughout Tees Valley will be required

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the role

We’re excited to be launching a new Connect to Work Tees Valley service, and we’re looking for two experienced Senior Employment Specialists to join us at this important stage.

As a Senior Employment Specialist, you’ll play a key role in helping us establish and develop the service, supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality supported employment to participants across the Tees Valley.

You’ll provide leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance, helping colleagues to deliver in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and the requirements of the Connect to Work programme.

This is a varied role where no two days are likely to be the same. As this is a new contract, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in developing the service, working with colleagues and external partners, and helping us build a service that stands out for the quality of support it provides.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll provide day-to-day support and oversight to Employment Specialists employed by Waythrough and our subcontracted delivery partners.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership, supervision, coaching and quality assurance to Employment Specialists.
• Supporting the implementation of Connect to Work Grant Guidance, contractual requirements and fidelity standards.
• Promoting and embedding the principles of the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
• Acting as a subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and delivery partners.
• Working with subcontractor managers to support workforce development, performance improvement and consistent service delivery.
• Facilitating performance, quality and case management reviews.
• Managing a small caseload of approximately 5–10 participants.
• Supporting Employment Specialists to develop employer relationships and engage external partners.
• Ensuring high-quality employer engagement takes place to support participants to secure and sustain employment.
• Monitoring client satisfaction and using feedback to help improve the service.
• Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues with their continuous professional development.
• Supporting co-production and involving people who use our services in service development where possible.
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement across the service.

About you

We’re looking for someone with experience of working within employment services, who can provide effective leadership and support to colleagues while also managing their own caseload.

You’ll have a good understanding of supported employment, disability and special needs issues in relation to employment, and the ability to work towards and exceed outcomes and targets.

You’ll be confident building relationships with employers, partners, colleagues and other stakeholders, with strong networking and communication skills.

You’ll also need experience of supervising, managing or mentoring staff and be able to work independently, use your initiative and help develop and promote a service.

Experience of delivering supported employment in line with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) and knowledge of Connect to Work requirements and grant guidance would be advantageous.

What you’ll need

• Experience of working in employment services.
• Experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets.
• Experience of staff supervision, management and/or mentoring.
• Good understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment.
• Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies and legislation in relation to employment.
• Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs.
• Ability to extract, analyse and report on management information.
• Ability to model recovery-focused practice, including co-production.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes, including Outlook.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Level 3 Diploma in Employability Services Sector or Level 3 QCF in Advice & Guidance.
• Experience of delivering supported employment in accordance with SEQF.
• Understanding of Connect to Work programme requirements and grant guidance.
• Experience of delivering training.